(19)

(11)

EP 2 531 363 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 24.11.2011 (43) Date of publication: 12.12.2012 Bulletin 2012/50 (21) Application number: 11740253.7 (22) Date of filing: 01.02.2011

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  B60C 15/06(2006.01) B60C 15/00(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2011/023313 (87) International publication number: WO 2011/097213 (11.08.2011 Gazette 2011/32)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR (30) Priority: 04.02.2010 US 700051 (71) Applicant: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC Nashville, TN 37214 (US)	(72) Inventors: HARRIS, Bradley J. New London, OH 44851 (US) SWARTZWELDER, Chris Akron, OH 44312 (US) (74) Representative: Banzer, Hans-Jörg  Kraus & Weisert Patent- und Rechtsanwälte Thomas-Wimmer-Ring 15 80539 München 80539 München (DE)